The always charismatic Joseph Gordon-Levitt has masterfully portrayed an infamous whistleblower, gravity-defying highwire artist, andcunning subconscious thief(among countless other characters), and he decided to try his hand at being a savvy private investigator in the2024crime drama mysteryKiller HeatonPrime Video. The Golden Globe-nominated actor appears alongside the talented Shailene Woodley and Richard Madden in a compelling whodunit film set on the Greek island of Crete, where the perplexing death of a prominent young business tycoon attracts the expertise of a tormented P.I.
Despite its gifted cast, intriguing premise, and gorgeous setting,Killer Heatfailed to impress critics and received an underwhelming 19% Rotten Tomatoes score, though that didn’t stop audiences all across the world from checking out the sleek and stylish thriller and helping it become the number one movie on Prime Video. Let’s take a look at whatKiller Heatis about and why it was unable to make a splash with critics.
Killer Heat
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A Star-Studded Crime Mystery
Featuring a dynamic all-star castled by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, and Richard Madden, the 2024 crime mystery dramaKiller Heatis based on Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø’s short storyThe Jealousy Man. It takes place on a remote Greek island where the affluent Vardakis family enjoys their power and prestige until tragedy strikes the wealthy clan.When shipping magnate Leo Vardakis (Madden) dies in a mysterious accident, his shocked sister-in-law Penelope (Woodley) believes there’s more to his death than the police report shows,prompting her to seek the expertise of troubled private investigator Nick Bali (Gordon-Levitt).
Nicknamed “The Jealousy Man,” Bali is a tormented American expat struggling with the demons of his past who agrees to help Penelope look into the death of Leo. However, once he does, he uncovers a sordidlove triangle between Penelope, Leo, and her husband Elias, his identical twin brother.Bali finds himself faced with pushback from the close-knit Greek community, who are not forthcoming with any helpful information and refuse to speak against the Vardakis name, thus making his job that much more challenging. Compelled to continue pursuing the case in hopes of helping not only Penelope but also redeem himself, Bali realizes all is not what it seems at the glamorous Greek oasis.
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An Underwhelming Critical Dud
There is no denying that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an exceptional actor with an endearing on-screen presence who is able to transform brilliantly into any role he tackles, and he truly gave it his all in his performance as the tortured and brooding P.I. Nick Bali.Killer Heathas an old-school mystery feel to it that many viewers will enjoy, and the charismatic actor tries to make the most of the crime drama, though critics were severely underwhelmed by the adaptation.Many felt that the film was too run-of-the-mill and that it failed to fully capitalize on itsintriguing whodunit premise, wasting the talents of its decorated cast.
Killer Heatcurrently holds just a 19% Rotten Tomatoes score and a slightly better 29% score from audiences,with critics and viewers agreeing that the lackluster screenplay, predictable twists and turns, and painfully slow pacing caused the movie to fail to live up to its potential. However, the drama did triumphantly reunite Gordon-Levitt and Woodley, who had previously appeared alongside one another in Oliver Stone’s 2016 thrillerSnowden,with the gifted duo delivering winning chemistry and majorly benefiting from their previous silver screen collaboration.
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Gordon-Levitt also served as an executive producer for the visually stunning picture and specifically wanted Woodley for the character of Penelope, later expressing that it was “such a pleasure” to work with the Golden Globe-nominated actress and praising her performance. TheInceptionstar was also inspired by beloveddetective staples likeThe Maltese Falcon, Chinatown,andDouble Indemnityduring his preparation for the role, and despite the lackluster critical response ofKiller Heat.However, it seems as though the charming actor appreciated the fulfilling filming experience above all else.He told Newsweek:
“This whole job is just kind of easy, to be really honest. Some are challenging, and some kind of just happen naturally. And this is one of those. This one, it just kind of came off the page.”
Killer Heat Defies Naysayers & Dazzles on Prime
Not all critical reception forKiller Heathas been negative, asthe engaging drama does feature gorgeous cinematography, complex characters, and winningly pays homage to theclassic detective filmsof cinema’s past.Upon its release on Jul 10, 2025, the big screen adaptation of the Nesbø story became Prime Video’s number one movie on the streaming giant worldwide and the second most-watched title in the United States, becoming a certified hit and defying the naysayers by topping the platform.
Fans of riveting mystery thrillers and film noir will definitely want to check outKiller Heatand decide for themselves whether or not the adaptation is a stud or a dud, as its immersive, sun-soaked setting and stacked ensemble cast are reason enough to give the movie a look. Gordon-Levitt has dazzled audiences with his unforgettable performances in hit flicks likeThe Dark Knight Rises, (500) Days of Summer, 50/50,andThe Walk, and his innate allure and refreshing presence truly helped elevate the movie.When discussing what makesKiller Heatsuch an engrossing project, the seasoned actor poignantlytold ComingSoon.net:
“This is a story about jealousy, and jealousy is a demon that human beings all over the world. No matter what country you go to or what time in history, everybody is a universal demon. There’s a story about someone who’s succumbed to that monster in their head, telling them that they’re not good enough, that someone else is better, and turning it into a murder mystery.”
